Expiration Date or Sniff Test?

Decode expiration labels to make the most of your food—and your funds. Read more...▼

The sniff test, or taking a whiff of food or condiments that have been in your fridge for a while, is a good way clean out your fridge. If it smells off, toss it! But what about those items that smell fine but are past the use-by, best-by or sell-by date on the label?

Deciphering these dates can be challenging. In fact, uncertainty over food labels is one of the factors that lead Americans to waste $162 billion worth of food each year, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. That translates into 20-plus pounds of food per person per month! Read on to learn how to reduce food waste and save money by shopping smartly and planning accordingly.